Parking leeway will help boost business in South Shields, says Tory

THE Tory candidate for South Shields in May’s General Election has backed new “common-sense parking policies” as a way of boosting businesses in the town.

Robert Oliver has endorsed a Conservative commitment to a 10-minute grace period for drivers when parked in a council-owned car park or on-street parking space – so they’re not hit with a fine after being only a few minutes late back to their car.

He’s also supporting his party’s commitment to ban the “industrial use” of CCTV “spy cars” which issue automated fines, and a pledge to stop drivers being fined when parking meters are not working.

Mr Oliver, a former Sunderland councillor, said: “These are common sense changes to make it easier for people to visit and park in South Shields. Official figures show that South Tyneside received £231,000 in surplus revenue from parking charges, and £12,000 in parking fines in 2013/14.

“South Tyneside must now get behind the changes that have been announced and ensure that their policies are not deterring people from visiting this area. The fact that people and businesses can now challenge these parking policies should encourage the council to do this.”